Curly jade plants are also called Ripple jade plants. They bring a twist to the popular jade plant family. I’ve grown these quirky plants for years.
Today, I want to share what makes curly jades special and how to care for them. These plants stand out with their unique twisted leaves and stems. They make great house plants for both new and expert plant lovers.
Table of Contents
What Are Curly Jade Plants?
Curly jade plants are a type of succulent. They belong to the Crassula family. Their full name is Crassula ovata ‘Hobbit’ or Crassula ovata ‘Gollum’. Some people call them ogre ears, finger plants, or Shrek ears too.
These plants look very different from normal jade plants. Their leaves curl inward to form tubes or pipes. The tips of the leaves often have a red tint. This red color gets brighter with more sun. The twisted, tubular leaves give these plants their odd, eye-catching look.
Curly jades grow from South Africa just like normal jade plants. In the wild, they can grow quite large. As house plants, they stay much smaller and more compact. They grow slowly but can live for many years with the right care.
Also read, What is a Jade Plant? A Complete Guide to This Popular Succulent.
Types of Curly Jade Plants
There are a few main types of curly jade plants. Each has its own special look:
Crassula ovata ‘Gollum’
The Gollum jade has long, tube-like leaves. The leaves look like green fingers or pipes. The tips of the leaves form a suction cup shape with red edges. These plants can grow up to 2-3 feet tall over many years.
Crassula ovata ‘Hobbit’
The Hobbit jade has leaves that curl less than the Gollum. The leaves look more like spoons with curved edges. They still have the red tips but don’t form full tubes. Hobbit jades tend to be more bushy and full.
Crassula ovata ‘ET’s Fingers’
This type has very long, thin tubular leaves. The leaves point upward more than the other types. They look like alien fingers reaching for the sky! The tips have a deep red color when grown in bright light.
Crassula ovata ‘Comet’
The Comet has twisted stems with small curved leaves. It grows more spread out than the others. The plant has a wild, comet-like look that gives it its name.
While these plants have different names, they are very close in how they grow and what they need. The care tips in this post work for all curly jade types.
Why Choose Curly Jade Plants?
Curly jade plants have many great points that make them worth growing:
- They need very little water. You can forget to water them for weeks and they’ll be fine!
- They stay small enough for most homes and grow slowly.
- They live for many years – some for decades with good care.
- They can handle dry air, so they work well in most homes.
- They look very strange and cool – great for plant fans who want something different.
- They bring good luck in some cultures.
- They can grow from small cuttings, so you can share with friends.
- They clean the air in your home.
- They rarely get bugs or plant sickness.
For new plant owners, curly jades make great starter plants. For those with more plant know-how, these odd plants add something special to a plant group.
How to Care for Curly Jade Plants
Let’s look at how to keep your curly jade happy and healthy:
Light Needs
Curly jade plants love bright light. They do best in a spot with at least 4-6 hours of sun each day. A south or west-facing window works great. With less light, they grow slowly and may not show their red tips.
Don’t worry too much about too much sun. These plants can handle direct light better than most house plants. In fact, some direct sun helps them grow thick stems and bright colors. Still, in very hot summer months, you might want to move them back from the window a bit.
If your curly jade starts to stretch or lean toward the light, it needs more sun. Turn the pot now and then to help it grow evenly on all sides.
Water Needs
Like most succulents, curly jades store water in their leaves. This means they don’t need much water. It’s far better to water too little than too much!
I water my curly jades when the soil feels fully dry. This might mean once every 2-3 weeks in summer and once a month or less in winter. The leaves will tell you when the plant needs water – they get a bit soft and less firm when thirsty.
When you do water, soak the soil well. Make sure water runs out the pot’s drain holes. Then let it dry out fully before you water again. This wet-dry cycle keeps the roots healthy.
Never let your curly jade sit in water. This leads to root rot, which can kill the plant. If the leaves turn yellow or feel mushy, you may be watering too much.
Soil Mix
Curly jades need soil that drains very fast. Regular potting soil holds too much water. Instead, use cactus or succulent soil. You can buy this at most plant shops.
Or you can make your own mix:
1 part regular potting soil 1 part sand or small gravel 1 part perlite or pumice
This mix lets water flow through while still giving the roots what they need. The key is to avoid soil that stays wet for days.
Pot Choice
Pick a pot with drain holes. This is a must! Without drain holes, water sits at the bottom and rots the roots.
For size, choose a pot just a bit bigger than the root ball. Curly jades do well when slightly root-bound. A pot that’s too big holds too much soil and too much water.
Clay or terra cotta pots work well for curly jades. They let the soil dry out faster than plastic pots. This helps stop root rot.
Temperature
Curly jade plants like normal room temps. They do best between 65-75°F (18-24°C). They can handle temps down to about 50°F (10°C) for short times, but cold can harm them.
Keep your plant away from cold drafts in winter. Don’t leave it near doors or drafty windows when it’s cold out. Also keep it away from heat vents or fires, as hot, dry air can hurt the plant too.
Humidity
Good news! Curly jades don’t need high humidity. They do just fine in the dry air found in most homes. You don’t need to mist them or use a humidifier. In fact, too much humidity can cause problems.
This makes curly jades great for dry areas or homes with forced air heat. Many plants struggle in dry air, but curly jades thrive!
Fertilizer
Curly jade plants don’t need much food. They grow slowly and can get by with very little. I fertilize mine just 2-3 times a year during spring and summer. Use a balanced house plant food at half strength.
Don’t fertilize in fall or winter when growth slows down. Too much fertilizer can harm these plants. It’s better to give too little than too much.
Propagating Curly Jade Plants
One of the best things about curly jades is how easy they are to grow from cuttings. This means you can make new plants from the one you have. Here’s how:
Leaf Propagation
You can grow new plants from single leaves:
- Gently twist a leaf from the stem. Make sure you get the whole leaf with no tears.
- Let the leaf dry for 2-3 days until the end forms a callus.
- Place the leaf on top of well-draining soil.
- Mist the soil (not the leaf) every few days.
- After a few weeks, tiny roots will form. Then a new plant will grow from the base of the leaf!
This method takes time but works well. I’ve started many new plants this way.
Stem Cuttings
For faster results, use stem cuttings:
- Cut a stem 2-4 inches long using clean scissors.
- Remove leaves from the bottom inch of the stem.
- Let the cutting dry for 3-5 days to form a callus.
- Plant the callused end in well-draining soil.
- Wait to water for about a week.
- Then water lightly and place in bright, indirect light.
Roots should form in 3-4 weeks. You’ll know the cutting has rooted when it stands firm in the soil and shows new growth.
Both methods work well for curly jades. Stem cuttings grow faster, but leaf cuttings can make more plants from one parent plant.
Common Problems and Solutions
While curly jades are tough plants, they can have some problems. Here’s how to spot and fix the most common issues:
Overwatering
Signs: Yellow leaves, soft mushy stems, black spots, falling leaves. Fix: Stop watering! Remove the plant from its pot and check the roots. Cut away any black or mushy roots. Let the plant dry out for a few days, then repot in fresh, dry soil. Water less often going forward.
Underwatering
Signs: Wrinkled leaves, brown crispy leaf tips, slow growth. Fix: Give the plant a good soak. Let water run through the drain holes. Then return to a better watering schedule.
Pests: Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony spots on stems and leaf joints. Fix: Dab the bugs with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. For bad cases, spray with insecticidal soap. Keep your plant away from other plants until the bugs are gone.
Pests: Spider Mites
Signs: Tiny webs on the plant, small dots moving on leaves. Fix: Wash the plant with water to knock off mites. Then spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap. Treat weekly until mites are gone.
Stretching/Etiolation
Signs: Long, thin stems with wide spaces between leaves. Fix: Move the plant to a sunnier spot. You may need to cut back stretched stems and let the plant grow new, more compact growth.
Not Enough Red Color
Signs: Plant stays all green with no red tips. Fix: Give your plant more light. The red color comes from sun stress – a good kind of stress that makes the plant more colorful!
Decorating with Curly Jade Plants
Curly jades make great display plants. Their weird, alien look draws the eye and starts talks. Here are some fun ways to show them off:
Desktop or Table Plant
A small curly jade works well on a desk or table near a window. The small size and low care needs make it perfect for work or study spaces.
Succulent Arrangements
Plant curly jades with other succulents in a wide, shallow pot. The mix of shapes and sizes creates a living art piece. Just make sure all plants have the same water and light needs.
Fairy Gardens
Use curly jades as “trees” in tiny fairy gardens. Their strange shape looks like something from a fantasy world! Add small figures, houses, and paths to create a magical scene.
Kitchen Window Plants
The kitchen often has good light and a bit more humidity. Curly jades do well on a kitchen windowsill. Plus, you’ll see and enjoy them while you cook or wash dishes.
Gift Plants
Curly jades make great gifts for new plant owners. They’re hard to kill, stay small, and look very cool. Pot one up in a nice container for a gift that keeps on growing!
Seasonal Care for Curly Jade Plants
Your curly jade needs slightly different care through the year. Here’s what to do in each season:
Spring Care
This is growth time! Your plant will wake up and start to grow new stems and leaves. Start fertilizing lightly. Water more often as days get longer and warmer. This is a good time to repot if needed.
Summer Care
Keep up with watering as soil dries faster in heat. Move plants back from very hot windows. You can put your plant outside in summer, but start with just an hour or two. Slowly add time outside to help it adjust to the stronger light.
Fall Care
As days get shorter, cut back on water. Stop fertilizing. Bring outdoor plants inside before night temps drop below 50°F. This is a good time to take cuttings to grow new plants.
Winter Care
This is rest time for curly jades. They grow very little in winter. Water much less – maybe once a month or less. Keep plants away from cold drafts and heat vents. Don’t repot or fertilize in winter. Just let your plant rest until spring.
Repotting Your Curly Jade
Curly jades grow slowly and don’t need frequent repotting. Most do fine with repotting every 2-3 years. Here’s how to know when to repot:
Roots grow out of the drain holes. The plant seems top-heavy and tips over. The soil dries out very quickly. Growth slows or stops even in spring and summer. The pot cracks or breaks.
When it’s time to repot, here’s what to do:
- Pick a new pot just 1-2 inches wider than the old one.
- Make sure the new pot has drain holes.
- Use fresh cactus or succulent soil.
- Water the plant a day before repotting to make it easier to remove.
- Gently tap the pot and slide the plant out.
- Brush away some of the old soil from the roots.
- Place the plant in the new pot at the same depth as before.
- Fill in around the roots with fresh soil.
- Wait 5-7 days before watering to let any root breaks heal.
The best time to repot is spring when the plant is starting to grow. Avoid repotting in winter when the plant is resting.
The Meaning and Symbolism of Jade Plants
Like all jade plants, curly jades carry special meaning in many cultures:
In Asia, jade plants are symbols of good luck, wealth, and success. The round leaves look like coins, which is why they’re often called “money plants.”
In Feng Shui, jade plants are said to bring good fortune. They are often placed near the entrance of homes or businesses to invite prosperity.
As gifts, jade plants wish the person luck and wealth in their life or new venture.
Some believe jade plants help bring harmony and balance to a home.
Others see them as symbols of growth and friendship since they’re so easy to share through cuttings.
While curly jades look different from regular jades, they share the same good luck meanings. Their curled leaves add a twist to the tradition!
My Journey with Curly Jade Plants
I first saw a curly jade at a friend’s house. I had never seen such a strange plant! The twisted “finger” leaves made me smile. My friend kindly gave me a small cutting.
That one cutting has grown into three full plants over the years. I’ve given many cuttings to friends who were just as charmed by the plant’s odd looks.
What I love most about my curly jades is how little they ask from me. Sitting in my sunny window, they take in whatever light they can get. Even if I forget to water them for weeks, they don’t mind. Instead, they just keep growing at their own slow pace, adding new weird leaves and becoming a bit more tree-like each year.
I’ve found that curly jades make great plants for busy people. They thrive on some slight neglect. In fact, they often do better when I leave them alone than when I fuss over them too much.
Interesting Facts About Curly Jade Plants
Here are some fun facts about these quirky plants:
The names ‘Hobbit’ and ‘Gollum’ come from J.R.R. Tolkien’s books. The plants’ strange looks reminded people of the odd characters from The Lord of the Rings.
Curly jade plants can bloom! The flowers are small, star-shaped, and white or pink. They don’t bloom often as house plants, but it’s a treat when they do.
These plants are non-toxic to humans but mildly toxic to cats and dogs. Keep them out of reach of pets who like to chew plants.
In their native South Africa, jade plants can grow into small shrubs or trees up to 6 feet tall.
Curly jades can live for decades. Some well-cared-for plants have been passed down through family lines.
NASA has studied jade plants for their air-cleaning skills. They help remove toxins from indoor air.
The red tips on the leaves are the plant’s way of protecting itself from too much sun – like plant sunscreen!
Myths and Truths About Curly Jade Plants
Let’s clear up some common myths:
Myth: Curly jades need lots of water. Truth: They need very little water and can rot if watered too much.
Myth: They can’t handle direct sun. Truth: They love direct sun and need it for good growth and color.
Myth: Bigger pots help them grow faster. Truth: They prefer to be slightly root-bound and can rot in too-large pots.
Myth: More fertilizer means more growth. Truth: Too much fertilizer can harm these plants. They need very little.
Myth: They should be misted often. Truth: Misting can cause rot issues. These plants prefer dry air.
Final Thoughts on Growing Curly Jade Plants
Curly jade plants bring joy to any plant group. Their twisted leaves and strange shapes stand out among other house plants. They ask for so little – just some sun, very little water, and well-draining soil.
For new plant owners, curly jades offer a chance to grow something eye-catching with little risk of failure. For those with more plant know-how, they add a touch of the weird and wonderful to a plant shelf.
One of the best things about these plants is how they connect people. Their easy-to-grow nature means you can share cuttings with friends and family. Each cutting carries a bit of your plant’s history to a new home.
If you’re on the fence about growing a curly jade, I say go for it! Start small with just one plant. Watch how it grows and changes over time. Take cuttings to make more plants. Share them with friends. These small, strange plants bring a lot of joy for very little work.
In our busy, fast-paced world, the slow, steady growth of a curly jade plant reminds us to slow down. To look closely at small things. To find beauty in the odd and unusual. And isn’t that a nice gift from a humble house plant?
Whether you choose a Gollum, Hobbit, ET’s Fingers, or any other curly jade variety, you’re in for a treat. These plants may look strange, but they bring a special kind of magic to your home. Happy growing!